Album Review: Siamese – dissolution

Having kept up a consistent release schedule since 2011, Siamese aren’t returning after a long break, but the departure of mainstay songwriter Andreas Kruger has no doubt had a similar effect, changing their direction and sound permanently. Shedding their old skin and becoming something new was necessary, so vocalist Mirza Radonjica has taken a deep dive into the complex relationship between himself and his late father in order to forge a record that allows his self-awareness to gleam, and confronts the past head on.

With downtuned riffs under contrastingly crooning and harsh lyrics, dissolution offers no easy place of rest. Opening track dark emphasises this, as it considers that sometimes the temporary relief of letting go of the steering wheel might be able to offer much-needed clarity.

As the album unfurls itself like some dark flower, each new petal brings perspective. drown approaches self-deprecation and inward anger whilst gargantuan guitars fight all around, and sense laments the dwindling number of artists ready and able to perform with true authenticity whilst celebrating those that manage to retain it.

Across this diaspora of twilight, a few parts attract the listener more convincingly. sinner is a hard listen, with the bare bones of accountability and responsibility on show, whilst reveries, featuring Caskets, forms the narrative and emotional centre of the album. Addressing his father, Radonjica faces the fact that he still lives on through him, a living monument to a man he can’t ever entirely reconcile with.

An uncomfortable and viscerally reflective album, dissolution comes as a whole experience. Heavy both musically and lyrically, deeply thoughtful, and highly emotionally mature, it’s a release that will grow on the listener the more time that is devoted to it.

Verdict: 3/5

For fans of: Bad Omens, Dayseeker, Architects

dissolution is out now via Long Branch